A candidate has filed papers to run in Ward 4. Robert Kominek is retired from Navistar. Local media reports that he wants to eliminate funding for education, health care, and social services. Kominek has also been fingered in the media as a representative of an enigmatic citizen's group that allegedly employs a strategy of purchasing anonymous defamatory advertising, then hiding out until after the limitation period runs out to evade justice. Councilor Weaver was the victim of an ambush from this group in the last election, but to this date, nobody ever took responsibility.

Kominek was served notice asking him to admit if he had any role in placing defamatory election advertising, or having a part in the Chatham-Kent Coalition of Concerned Citizens, but he did not respond.

Back in 2005, over 7,000 citizens signed a petition to request an audit into municipal spending. In 2007, Kominek acted as public spokesman for a renewed effort to re-label the 2005 petition for use in demanding a complete forensic audit, which was not what the original petition stated it was for.

Attempts to expose their plan to use signatures from 2005 for a different purpose were muzzled by the media, who claimed they were afraid of facing legal trouble from the group, even though unregistered coalitions do not have legal capacity to litigate anything. Nobody would disclose any names of group members, and everyone queried by the media stated the Coalition had been on hiatus. It seems odd the media were afraid of them to the point where their activities and motives became off limits.

People like Kominek would move Chatham-Kent backwards. Maybe we better not cut any spending on education with this kind of mindset out there trying to gain political power. Be wary of candidates with Mr. Kominek's connections and background. We do not need a repeat of the dirty politicking that happened last time.

Austin: I've edited the letter you've sent me so as to avoid any potential legal action with the group that you make reference to. Nonetheless, the edited version, I believe, reflects what you're trying to say about the audit.

It's been reported that the Chatham-Kent Coalition of Concerned Citizens is again asking for a municipal audit.Those who have been following this secretive group might remember that they collected 7,000 signatures in 2005 supporting a failed bid to obtain "an official audit of all resources and finances in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent to answer all concerns of citizens and taxpayers."

Perhaps this group should reveal its directors and members to the public. If R.O.C.K. is indeed behind the effort, then we can be certain that this is just a thinly-veiled attempt to resurrect the de-amalgamation debate.Is this a clever ploy to destabilize an already dysfunctional council so the province will step in and put things back the way they were in the good old pre-amalgamation days?

Before I learned the true costs and consequences, I was a supporter of the audit concept. But the municipal books are already audited annually to the province's satisfaction, which is why the original petition was refused.Citizen groups have a democratic right to muddy the municipal landscape, but we should demand no less than the transparency of knowing the individuals behind unregistered coalitions.

Such audits rarely reveal anything anyway that those being examined don't want discovered.

Note: this article first appeared in the Chatham Daily News around February 27, 2009. They own the copyright and are responsible for its content. It is reproduced here as fair use for reference since the original article is no longer on the web. They retain all rights and copyright.

In the interest of municipal accountability, the idea of an auditor general will come before council on Monday.

An administrative report released yesterday stated the main task would be performing value for money audits, as well as ensuring transparency and providing council with independent advice.

This report didn't make a recommendation on the position, but simply introduced the concept.

The function of this position differs from an external auditor, who concentrates on financial statements. The auditor general is not required to be a municipal employee, and in this case, would work on a contract basis.

"Should council wish to create an AG office, we would recommend an initial two-year pilot project during which its effectiveness can be evaluated," the report stated.

Including salary, benefits, professional development and equipment, the position would cost approximately $140,000.

However, the report stated some of the costs could be offset through savings found by the auditor general.

As the item is in Monday's consent agenda, it would take an act of council to bring it up for discussion.

Gerry Wolting, general manager of corporate services, said councillors wished to look into the idea after the recent budget deliberations.

West Kent Coun. Bryon Fluker said auditors general have become more popular due to their use by senior levels of government.

"Everybody's heard the name Sheila Fraser," he said, referring to the federal public servant. "Everybody's concerned now where any dollar is going."

According to the report, other municipalities with an auditor general include Toronto, Ottawa, Oshawa and Markham.

Fluker said it could be more efficient if the auditor general's duties were shared with other taxpayer-support organizations, such as school boards and the hospital.

However, he said there could still be controversy on spending.

"Value for dollar can often be very subjective," he said.

The Chatham-Kent Coalition of Concerned Citizens -- which is now on hiatus -- had called for an auditor general review in 2005.

Bob Kominek, who was a member, said the $140,000 cost for an auditor general would be "paltry" compared to the millions of dollars he believes are spent needlessly.

I'm convinced. People like Kominek should not be allowed anywhere near our council. What self-serving rubbish! 3 Guesses who his campaign manager is and the first 2 don't count. Those quotes are Proof that we need more educaion not less!! What a coward. Can't even admit to being a member of the only group that would have him as a member. NO MORE SECRET SOCIETY'S RUNNING CHATHAM-KENT!!!